Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte How does Charlotte Bronte create sympathy for Jane in the first two chapters of the novel? The novel of “Jane Eyre” was written and set in the year 1847 by Charlotte Bronte. It is set around the life story of an unfairly treated ten-year-old orphan living with her cruel yet wealthy aunt and cousins. The theme is similar to other novels set in this time, most famously the Charles Dickens stories “Oliver Twist”, “David Copperfield” and “Great Expectations” which all reflect the harsh treatment towards children in the Victorian times. An understanding of this harsh reality shall prove useful towards my knowledge to the background of the novel. The style of the novel is a very personal account of Jane’s experience; therefore Bronte uses the first person narrative in order to help the reader feel sympathy for Jane as well as enabling the reader to see into her personality more explicitly. Bronte strongly uses the two opening chapters of the novel to set Jane’s background. Before the start of the novel, Jane was taken in by her uncle, Mr Reed, who was the brother of Mrs Reed. Mr Reed was kind towards Jane and treated her equally. Unfortunately, these days didn’t last as Mr Reed died leaving Jane with her wicked aunt and cousins accompanied by the family’s two servants. Despite Jane’s unfortunate background, Bronte clearly shows that the Reed family have no sympathy towards her; the effect of this is that it will in fact create sympathy through the reader. The Reed family’s dislike for Jane is emphasised in their treatment and lack of respect towards her. They expect her full admiration and they demand t... ... middle of paper ... ...eads to her fighting against her hallucinations, which results in her becoming so scared, she passes out and creates a cliffhanger ending. In conclusion to the opening of the novel; Bronte opens by creating a shock towards the reader who is immediately stunned by how Jane is treated as we are constantly informed of events where she suffers from verbal insults and physical and mental abuse. The first person narrative means we see everything from Jane’s point of view and the detailed description within this helps us to identify with her difficulties plus the fact the ‘crescendo of tension’ is used, makes the book gripping for the reader. But above all Bronte’s use of language and the way she uses the techniques of foreshadowing and dialogue really do work well in completing her target of creating sympathy for Jane.
There are many stages throughout the book in which the reader can feel sympathy for Jane Eyre; these include when she is locked in the Red Room, when Helen Burns dies at Lowood, and when she and Mr. Rochester are married the first time.
St. John Rivers makes some very intriguing choices in Jane Eyre. He is constantly faced with difficult decisions to make. Whether it be refusing his true love or moving to India to give his life serving others, there is always an interesting twist where St. John is concerned. His importance in the novel may be evident to readers, but they may not always understand his decisions and his actions. The choices he makes are exemplary of a man who has given his life to serve God and His people.
“I found him very patient, very forbearing, and yet an exacting master: he expected me to do a great deal; and when I fulfilled his expectations, he, in his own way, fully testified his approbation. By degrees, he acquired a certain influence over me that took away my liberty of mind: his praise and notice were more restraining than his indifference. I could no longer talk or laugh freely when he was by; because a tiresomely importunate instinct reminded me that vivacity (at least in me) was distasteful to him. I was so aware that only serious moods and occupations were acceptable, that in is presence every effort to sustain or follow any other became vain: I fell under a freezing spell. When he said “go,” I went! “come,” I came;
From an early age Jane is aware she is at a disadvantage, yet she learns how to break free from her entrapment by following her heart. Jane appears as not only the main character in the text, but also a female narrator. Being a female narrator suggests a strong independent woman, but Jane does not seem quite that.
I was experiencing an ordeal: a hand of fiery iron grasped my vitals. Terrible moment: full of struggle blackness, burning! No human being that ever lived could wish to be loved better then I was loved; and him who thus loved me I absolutely worshipped: and I must renounce love and idol. (311; ch. 27)
When General Rochambeau met General Washington in 1781 to determine their next move against the British, Washington wanted to attack New York City. Rochambeau convinced him that the wiser move was to move South. Word had come from General Lafayette in Virginia that Cornwallis had taken up a defensive position at Yorktown. Cornwallis was situated next to the York River. If they could surround the city by land and cut off Cornwallis' escape route on the river, Washington and Rochambeau would strike an enormous blow to the British forces. Planning for the elaborate campaign began immediately.
If a middle class family in Victorian England was able to afford employing a governess it certainly meant they were wealthy. Governesses aided the development of middle class children by teaching them in history, languages, music, art and geography (Smith 203). However, the lives of these middle class governesses were not as good as they might sound. A governess had a unique position in the family she worked for, because she was not part of the household, nor was she a servant. Governesses had the social position of middle class women, yet they received a salary. Being a governess meant having financial worries like a fear of unemployment. Besides that there was a possibility of being socially rejected by the servants and their masters. One of the most influential governesses was Charlotte Brontë. In a letter from 1839 she wrote that “a private governess has no existence, is not considered as a living rational being, except as connected with the wearisome duties she has to fulfil” (Gaskell, ch. 8, ¶ 243). In 1847 Brontë published the novel Jane Eyre, which deals with this very subject. The novel Jane Eyre provides a sound insight into the class system of the Victorian era and the place of the woman in this system. The novel achieves this by making Jane Eyre climb the social ladder. The young Jane Eyre is a poor orphan, who receives an education and becomes a governess, after a while she inherits a substantial amount of money and eventually she marries the master of Thornfield.
In Charlotte Bronte’s, Jane Eyre, Jane goes through numerous self-discoveries, herself-realization and discipline leads her to a life she chooses to make her happy. Jane Eyre has a rough life from the start. Forced to stay with people who despise her, Jane can only help herself. Jane must overcome the odds against her, which add to many. Jane is a woman with no voice, until she changes her destiny. The novel Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte consists of continuous journeys through Jane’s life towards her final happiness and freedom.
Jane Eyre, a conscientious young governess, tells her master, Mr. Rochester, that she dislikes speaking nonsense. Mr. Rochester tells her quite frankly, "If you did, it would be in such a grave, quiet manner, I should mistake it for sense...I see you laugh rarely; but you can laugh very merrily: believe me, you are not naturally austere" (141). In this way is the inner struggle between feelings and judgment recognized and revealed. In Charlotte Brontë's novel, Jane Eyre, Mr. Rochester, St. John Rivers, and Jane Eyre all struggle with feelings versus judgment.
The greatest desire of all is to be important among others, for most children they do not receive this feeling enough. George F. Will once wrote “Childhood is frequently a solemn business for those inside it”. This quote may be interpreted to mean adults see only the bliss of their childhoods, but forget how lugubrious a child’s life can really be, and the hardships of succeeding in life. This quote is proven valid by Jane Eyre in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, how she has a somber child hood and adults overlook her struggles. It is also proven true by the conceit, Reading the Obituary Page by Linda Pastan how the adults do not acknowledge the vile treatment of the kids. Dispute the expectations childhood is hard and older generations do not support today’s kids, but only the character that persists through all impediments will adhere to happiness.
In the novel Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte uses Jane Eyre as her base to find out how a character confronts the demands of a private passion that conflicts with her responsibilities. . Mistreated abused and deprived of a normal childhood, Jane Eyre creates an enemy early in her childhood with her Aunt Mrs. Reed. Just as Mrs. Reeds life is coming to an end, she writes to Jane asking her for forgiveness, and one last visit from her.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte reflects the contentions Jane faces as a child and while growing up. Bronte gives a distinct explanation of the struggles Jane has to face while living with the Reeds family. Bronte describes her life story under the name of Jane Eyre. Bronte faces many challenges while growing up, resembling Jane's life in the narrative. Jane Eyre is an autobiography of Charlotte Bronte's life, which proclaims many challenges and contentions that the author and the character face. The various events Jane faces as a child guides throughout her life while growing up. Struggle and love are the main key points in the story. Jane faces new challenges everywhere she goes; Mrs. Reed treats her badly while living with the Reeds family, Mr. Brocklehurst does not treat her any better, and when she meets Mr. Rochester, she faces the challenge of love.
Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre chronicles the growth of her titular character from girlhood to maturity, focusing on her journey from dependence on negative authority figures to both monetary and psychological independence, from confusion to a clear understanding of self, and from inequality to equality with those to whom she was formerly subject. Originally dependent on her Aunt Reed, Mr. Brocklehurst, and Mr. Rochester, she gains independence through her inheritance and teaching positions. Over the course of the novel, she awakens towards self-understanding, resulting in contentment and eventual happiness. She also achieves equality with the important masculine figures in her life, such as St. John Rivers and Mr. Rochester, gaining self-fulfillment as an independent, fully developed equal.
In the novel ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte, Jane shows self-confidence throughout the novel by having a sense of self-worth, and a trust in God and her morals. Jane develops her self confidence through the capacity to learn and the relationships she experiences. Although an oppressed orphan, Jane is not totally with confidence, she believes in what is right and shows passion and spirit at an early age. Helen and Miss Temple equips Jane with education and Christians values that she takes on throughout her life. Jane later also blossoms in self confidence under Mr. Rochester’s love and her family, the Rivers and newly discovered wealth. Bronte uses dialogue and 1st person narration to give an insight of the characters for the reader to see what the characters are saying and suggest what they are really thinking, and it shows Jane’s self-confidence growing in every stage of her life.
My favorite character at this time in the novel, is Jane Eyre. A new chapter in her life was about to begin when she was accepted for the position as a governess, for a small child at Thornfield Hall. She has come a long way from her days abandoned by her cruel aunt and treated poorly by her cousins. After her school days at Lowood, she wanted a brighter and more independent life for herself. She has had the strength to be strong and